Machine for cutting and trimming fish



(No Model.)

0. P. OVERTON. MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND TRIMMING FISH.

No. 593,422. Patented Nov. 9, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES P. OVERTON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING AND TRIMMING FISH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 593,422, dated November 9, 1897.

Application filed May '7, 1897. Serial No. 635,483. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES P. OVERTON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Cutting and Trimming Fish; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a machine which is especially designed for cutting and trimming fish, such as codfish, which is to be afterward put up into blocks or packages and for other similar purposes.

It consists in details of construction, which will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view ofv my machine. Fig. 2 is a front view. Fig. 3 shows the application of a weight to operate the treadle. Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective showing the bed-piece P with its end clamps and the adjustable gage.

. The object of my invention is to provide a means for rapidly cutting and trimming such fish as dried codfish, which is afterward made up into bundles orpackages of convenient form and size for retail trade.

A is a stand or table of any suitable or convenient size, having the support A, upon which the fish to be cut is first placed.

The knife or cutter B is fixed in a supporting-bar O, which extends transversely across the table from side to side and is suspended by diagonally-placed links D from the upper part of the frame E, which is fixed to and projects above the table, as shown. This frame has vertical guides E, between which the knife-carrier is slidable, so that when operated it moves vertically between these guides and diagonally in a plane between them. 'The operating device consists of a second transversely-extending horizontal bar F, slidable between the guides E, below the table, and having the ends connected with the ends of the knife-carrier O by diagonal links G. These links G are inclined in the opposite direction from the inclination of the links D, by which the knife and its carrier are suspended, so that when the bar F is pulled down the pull of the links G is approximately at right angles with the position of the links D, and the knife, swinging about the pivotpoints of the links D, is pulled down with the drawing out, and by reason of the angular position of the links G the pull is a direct one. The bar F has fixed to it collars F, which slide against the guides E and insure the vertical movement of this bar F. From the center of the bar a connecting-rod or pitman H extends downwardly and connects with a treadle I, which is fulcrumed at the rear, as shown at I, and has a suitablydisposed foot-piece J upon its front end by which the operator can press the treadle down at any time. The treadle is normally held up by a spring L, the lower end of which connects with the treadle and the upper end with some portion of the frame A, so that when the treadle is released it will rise, and the rod H, pressing upwardly on the bar F, moves it upwardly, and this again, through the connecting-links G, forces the knife-carrying bar 0 upward and raises-the knife to receive the fish, which may be pushed beneath it. In some cases weights L may be used in place of the springs or in conjunction with them, the weight-cords leading over direction-pulleys, as shown, or overhead spring or springboard in lieu of or in connection with spring L.

It is customary in cutting codfish to cut it into lengths of about six inches, and it is afterward rolled up to form rectangular packages of a certain size or weight for retail trade. In order to support the fish when it is moved forward beneath and beyond the knife, it is necessary to have the portion of the table beyond the bed-piece upon which the knife cuts brought closely to this bedpiece, because the fish is very flexible and the projecting part would otherwise drop down. It is also necessary to have this support movable, so that as soon as the fish has been out it will be allowed to drop through and pass to the proper receptacle. I have therefore shown a section M hinged to the rear portion of the table, as shown at m, and this section may carry the upwardly-projecting gage piece N, extending transversely across the frame behind the knife, or the gage may be adjustable, as shown in Fig. 4, or it may be supported from the main or fixed portion of the table, as convenience or necessity dictates. The hinged part M is connected with the treadle I by a rod 0, so that when the treadle is pulled upwardly by the action of the spring L the rod 0 will push the hinged portion M up to a level with the remainder of the table. The gage or stop Nbeing in position the fish may be pushed from the table A backwardly until its end abuts against the gage N. The knife is then brought down and the fish cut, and at the instant of making this cut the hinged portion M is also pulled down by the same motion, thus allowing the out portion of the fish to drop through and pass to its destination.

The bed-piece P upon which the knife cuts is an independent longitudinal strip held in place by end clamps Q, so that it may be easily removed and reversed when the surface has become toomuch marred or cut up by the action of the knife. This bed-piece being rectangular may be turned so as to present each of its four faces, and as the knife strikes the bed-piece a little to one side of the center the piece can be reversed end for end after the four sides have been used, and a new surface will be presented on each of these four sides, thus extending the life of this particular piece, which when used up can be removed and another substituted for it.

It has been customary in cutting fish of this description to make into packages to cut it so that the trimmings and the squared portion of the fish are mixed together, and these have hitherto been separated by picking it over afterward. The dried fish being split open and spread out, as is customary with dried codfish, it is necessary to first trim off the irregularly-shaped head end,which is done by placing it under the knife near one end of the cutting-blade. This part of the fish falls down by the tilting of the hinge portion M and strikes upon an inclined surface R, by which it is directed into a box or receptacle, as shown at S. lVhen the next out is made, this portion is to be used for a package, and it is desirable to separate it from the irregular parts. Therefore the fish is simply moved to the opposite end of the table A, the square end left by the first cut is pushed fairly against the gage N, and when the knife is again depressed this portion of the fish being cut off drops upon an incline R, which is at the opposite side of the table, and is directed into a receptacle S ready for use. The sides of the table A are formed with shoulders or ledges a, and extension-tables a are fitted so that the inner ends rest upon these ledges, where they are held by hooks or latches b. The outer ends of the extension-tables a are supported by legs 0, which are hinged to fold up against the extensions when the latter are removed. These extensions receive the load of fish and hold it in convenient position for the operator to drawfrom as needed, and when 1. In a machine of the character described,

'is suspended, a treadle connecting with the movable bar whereby it and the cutter may be depressed, and a spring or weight to return the parts to their normal position.

2. In a machine of the character described, a cutter fixed in a cutter-bar, vertical guides between which said bar is movable, a table and independent bed-piece upon which the cutter-blade is adapted to descend, parallel inclined links connecting with the cutter-bar and suspending it from above, a transverse bar guided to slide vertically beneath the ta ble, links connecting said bar with the cutter-bar and standing diagonally at an angle opposite to those by which the cutter-bar is suspended, a treadle and connections with the bar whereby the latter is depressed and the cutter-bar is given a diagonal movement with relation to its bed-piece,'weights or springs by which the bar and cutter are returned to their normal position upon release of the treadle and a gage for regulating the length of the section cut.

3. In a machine of the character described, a horizontal table and independent reversible bed-piece, a cutter suspended above said bed-piece movable in guides transversely and diagonally, a hinged extension behind the cutter in the horizontal plane of the fixed table and bed-piece, a gage, mechanism by which the cutter is reciprocated and connections between the hinged table and said mechanism whereby the hinged portion is tilted at the instant a cut is made, to discharge the severed portion.

4. In a machine of the character described, a cutter movable in guides, and mechanism whereby said cutter is given a longitudinally-diagonal movement in a vertical plane, a fixed table and an independent reversible bed piece in the plane of the table upon which the cutter acts, a section hinged behind the knife and normally in the plane with the upper portion of the fixed table and bed-piece, a gage against which the material to be cut is pressed, mechanism by which the cutter is forced down and springs or weights by which it is returned to its normal position, a connection between the hinged section of the table and the actuating mechanism of the cutter whereby the hinged section is depressed simultaneously with the movement of the cutter to discharge the severed portion, and returned to its normal position coincidently therewith, a double incline having its apex approximately central beneath the horizontal table in front and a hinged depressible section behind the plane of travel of the knife, and an interposed reversible bed-piece to receive the edge of the knife, with holding-clamps at the ends.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 7 CHARLES P. OVERTON.

Witnesses S. H. NOURSE, JEssIE O. BRODIE. 

